Collapsible tube closure



C. 1K6, 1934. Y M, 'HERMAN f 1,977,500

COLLAPSIBLE TUBE -CLOSURB Filed April 19, 1952 n: All 1011/1/ /l ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 16, 1934A 4 emma. (el. semental., ,A A

This invention relates to collapsible tubes and its general object is to provide a tube for pastes, creams, ointments and the like with valve means that is normally held closed and is automatically j opened by the contents of the tube when pressure is applied to the latter for dispensing the contents therefrom, but when the pressure is relieved the-valve is automatically closed, with the result the lcontents are kept normally sealed 'and therefore free fromcontamination. A further object of the invention is to provide a collapsible tube with valve'means of the character set forth, that is extremely simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and eiilcient in operation and service.

'I'his invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and` specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:-

Figure l is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the valve in closed position.

Figure 2 is a similar view with the valve in open position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 5--5 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 1 indicates a body of a collapsible tube which has formed therewith and rising therefrom a neck 2, the latter being provided with a closed top 3 and a slot 4 arranged in the circumferential wall thereof as best shown in Figures l and 2. The slot 4 is the outlet for the contents of the tube and is preferably rectangular in shape so that the contents Will be dispensed in ribbon formation as will be apparent, but of course it can be of any shape Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Mounted for slidable movement on the neck 2 is a cap 5 thatsnugly receives the neck and has secured thereto through the instrumentality of pins 6 a strip 7 that bridges the neck, and it will be noted that the pins 6 are formed with the strip 'I and are mounted for reciprocation in y diametrically opposed vertical slots 8 formed .in

the neck 2 as clearly shown in Figure 3.

Secured to the strip 7 is a disk 9 which constitutes the valve core of my device and while this disk may be formed from any appropriate material it is preferably made from cork. The strip 'I not only acts as a carrying means for the disk ,60 9 but also has an abutment for the lower convolution of a coil spring 10, while the upper convolution of the spring is arranged in contacting engagement with the top 3. v

The coil spring retains the cap 5 and disk 9 65 in a position to cover the slot 4 as shown in Figure 1, but when pressure is applied to the tube, it will be obvious that the contents of the tubev will/force the disk against the coil spring l0 to uncover the slot 4, which will of course result in the contents of the tube being dispensed through the slot as shown in Figure 2. However, when the pressure is relieved from the tube, the coil spring will dispose the disk and cap to normal position for closing the slot, and as the cap closes the outside of the slot, the portion of the contents oi.' the tube in the slot, aswell as the remaining contents in the tube is Vkept free from contamination and therefore in a clean and sanitary condition.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:-

1. In a collapsible tube, dispensing means therefor andl includingV a neck having an outlet and a vclosed top, a disk mounted for slidable movement in said neck and normally closing the outlet, a cap surrounding the neck and mounted for movement thereon, said cap normally closing the outlet, means connecting the cap with the disk for movement in unison, spring means for the disk and abutting the top to urge the disk and cap to normal closed position, and said disk and cap being moved to a position to uncover 100 the outlet, by the contents of the tube bearing against the disk when pressure is applied to the tube.

2. In a collapsible tube, means for dispensing the contents thereof and including a neck pro- .106 vided with an outlet arranged in the circumferential wall thereof, a cap mounted for slidable movement on the neck, a disk mounted for slidable movement within the neck, a strip secured to the disk, means formed with the strip' and 110 fixed to lthe cap whereby the cap and disk move in unison, a coil spring having its end convolutions engaging the strip and the top of the neck respectively to normally hold and urge the disk and cap to a position to cover the outlet, and said disk being moved to a position by the contents of the tube when pressure is applied to the latter to cause the disk and cap to uncover the outlet for the'passa'ge of the contents therethrough.;

3. A tube of the class described, having a neck portion with an outlet formed therein, and a -lid integrally attached to and closing the mouth of the said tube, a plunger mounted within the said neck portion and Abeing provided at its hotftom with a disc of suitable material, a collar mounted outside upon the said neck portion, a cross-bar integrally attached to the said plunger and collar, the wall oi' the said neck portion being formed with oppositely disposed oblong openings to permit vertical movement of the said outside of the said neck portion, the latter beingiormed with vertical slots to permit up and downward movement of the said cross-bar, the said plunger and collar being adapted to cooperate.' with the discharge opening of the said neck portion.

w MARTIN TIERMAN. 

